The Legislature's decision to replace the homestead tax credit with a market value exception saved the state money ... by shifting the cost onto local property taxes. That's the main ingredient in a mix of factors pushing up property tax bills around the region.

Voters in North Dakoka -- flush with oil boom money and enjoying the lowest unemployment in the nation -- had the chance Tuesday to become the first state to cast off property taxes. But in the end, voters decided to keep the $800 million a year the taxes raise.

Property taxes are up all over Minnesota this year. But while the Twin Cities area deals with hikes of a little over 3 percent, the increases approach 9 percent in the rest of the state. Some of the biggest increases are in Duluth and on the Iron Range.

Some homeowners say their property taxes are going up 40 or even 60 percent. Much of that increase comes after the state government cut the Market Value Homestead Credit, and Ely officials say they need to raise taxes to make up for cuts in Local Government Aid

Recent changes to the state's property tax rules are increasing taxes on apartment owners, and many of them may pass those costs on to their tenants. High demand and few vacancies aren't helping the situation for renters.

The number of delinquent taxpayers in Hennepin County has dropped, but more taxpayers are at risk of losing their properties to pay off their tax bills. Hundreds of property owners owe the county nearly $43 million in back taxes and penalties. The Star Tribune reports the county sent out a record 931 notices last year warning owners the deadline to redeem their properties was about to expire.

DFL lawmakers say higher property tax bills appearing in mailboxes show that Republicans were not honest when they claimed to have balanced the state's budget without raising taxes. But the current political clamor over taxes is likely just a warm-up for next year, which happens to be an election year.